<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE 2ND
QUARTER FORM 10-Q FOR THE FISCAL YEAR 4/30/98 AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY
BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          APR-30-1998
<PERIOD-END>                               OCT-31-1997
<CASH>                                           9,943
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                  285,956
<ALLOWANCES>                                     6,739
<INVENTORY>                                    461,763
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               777,227
<PP&E>                                         101,635
<DEPRECIATION>                                  56,389
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 998,986
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          615,446
<BONDS>                                          3,762
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                          194,562
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                            43
<OTHER-SE>                                     183,777
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   998,986
<SALES>                                      1,206,148
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                             1,422,383
<CGS>                                        1,090,713
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                1,224,151
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                               8,209
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 31,744
<INCOME-TAX>                                    11,428
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             15,860
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                    15,860
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     0.36
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     0.36